HR5144-119

What This Bill Does

The Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe federal-recognition bill combines extensive historical findings with operative recognition provisions. It identifies the Tribe's documented presence in Southampton County, Virginia, state recognition in 2010, a Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Federal Acknowledgment petition, more than 325 enrolled tribal citizens, 263 acres of tribal land, and the impact of Virginia's 1924 Racial Integrity Act on genealogical records. It then extends federal recognition, applies generally applicable federal Indian laws, makes the Tribe and tribal citizens eligible for federal services and benefits regardless of whether a reservation exists, requires the Interior Secretary to determine a federal service area within 120 days, uses the Tribe's most recent membership roll and governing documents, recognizes the existing elected governing body, directs Interior to take qualifying fee land in Southampton County into trust on request with a final written decision within three years, treats trust land as reservation land on request, prohibits gaming under inherent authority or federal law, and states that the Act does not alter hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, or water rights.

Who Benefits and How

Cheroenhaka Nottoway Indian Tribe citizens benefit because federal recognition makes them eligible for services and benefits available to federally recognized tribal citizens. Cheroenhaka Nottoway Indian Tribe government benefits because its membership roll, governing documents, and elected governing body receive federal recognition. Southampton County tribal landholders benefit because Interior must take qualifying tribal fee land acquired by January 1, 2007 into trust on request. Tribal health, education, housing, and social service programs benefit from access to federal Indian program eligibility.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Department of the Interior recognition staff must coordinate the service area, apply federal Indian laws, and process land-into-trust requests. Bureau of Indian Affairs program offices must treat the Tribe and tribal citizens as eligible for federal Indian services. National Indian Gaming Commission staff must apply the bill's gaming prohibition if gaming claims arise. Federal taxpayers bear the cost of any additional federal services and benefits provided after recognition.

Key Provisions

• Extends federal recognition to the Cheroenhaka Nottoway Indian Tribe of Southampton County, Virginia.
• Provides federal Indian services and benefits to the Tribe and tribal citizens without requiring an existing reservation.
• Requires Interior to determine a service area within 120 days and process qualifying Southampton County land-into-trust requests.
• Recognizes the Tribe's membership roll, governing documents, and governing body.
• Blocks tribal gaming authority while leaving hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, and water rights unchanged.